Election Returns

ST. CHARLES, Mo. (KMOX) - The St. Charles City Council will begin considering a bill Tuesday that would require all businesses to post a sign on their storefront window announcing whether they allow smoking inside.

City Council President Dave Beckering will be introducing the bill which he says is a better option than a smoking ban.

“If it’s legal and you own the property then you ought to be allowed to make that decision and let the market decide whether you allow smoking in your building,” he said.

Beckering says he doesn’t expect any resistance from council members. Final passage could come as early as October but businesses would have a few months to get their signs put up.

Meanwhile, at the county level, St. Charles County Councilman Joe Cronin introduced a proposal earlier this month for a countywide smoking ban. The proposal would give an exception to any place that services only customers 21-years and older.

Two smoking ban proposals would have gone to St. Charles County voters last year and allowed them to decide on exemptions but a judge threw them out for procedural reasons.

Beckering says a series of public meetings and emails garnered mixed support among residents and his plan is the easiest solution which won’t harm businesses.